Rashidi Yekini (1963-2012) was Nigeria's greatest goal scorer and an African football legend. Born in Kaduna, Yekini's professional career spanned Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. He scored 37 goals in 58 appearances for Nigeria—a record that still stands. His most iconic moment came at USA 94 World Cup when he scored Nigeria's first-ever World Cup goal against Bulgaria. His celebration—grabbing the net with tears of joy—is etched in African football history. Yekini won the African Footballer of the Year award (1993) and helped Nigeria win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite his success, Yekini struggled with mental health issues later in life, highlighting the lack of support for athletes post-retirement. He died in 2012 at age 48 in Ibadan. The NFF renamed the top scorer award in his honor. Yekini's legacy is complex—extraordinary talent mixed with personal struggles that Nigeria failed to address.


GOAL MACHINE:
Rashidi Yekini’s ferocious finishing made him Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer with 37 goals in 58 caps. He excelled for Shooting Stars, Vitória Setúbal, Olympiacos, and clubs in Spain, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia, scoring over 400 career goals.

ICONIC MOMENT:
His net-grabbing celebration after scoring against Bulgaria at the USA ’94 World Cup symbolised Nigeria’s arrival on football’s biggest stage. He also won the 1993 African Footballer of the Year and Golden Boot at the 1994 AFCON.

HUMILITY AND SERVICE:
Despite fame, Yekini remained humble, supporting grassroots clubs and funding community projects in Oyo State. He encouraged youth to pursue education alongside sports.

LEGACY AND LESSONS:
His tragic death in 2012 spotlighted the need for comprehensive athlete healthcare and retirement planning. The NFF’s Rashidi Yekini Golden Boot award and annual memorial matches honour his contributions.

FAST FACTS:
- Born 23 October 1963 in Kaduna; died 4 May 2012 in Ibadan.
- Nickname: “Goalsfather.”
- Achievements: African Cup Winners’ Cup (1993) with Africa Sports, Portuguese Primeira Liga top scorer (1993-94).
- Known for: powerful left foot, aerial dominance, and unwavering determination.